die  Pfarrgemeinde

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpfaʁɡəˌmaɪndə/

⛪ What Exactly is a Pfarrgemeinde?

The German noun die Pfarrgemeinde (feminine) refers to a church community or parish of believers, defined territorially and led by a priest (Pfarrer) or a pastoral team. It's the fundamental organizational unit within many Christian churches (especially Catholic and Protestant).

The term is composed of:

• Pfarre/Pfarrer: Relating to the office and district of a priest (Pfarrer).
• Gemeinde: A community or group of people connected by common interests, in this case, faith and membership in a church.

So, a Pfarrgemeinde is more than just the church building; it encompasses the people who gather there, celebrate services, receive sacraments, and participate in community life.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Pfarrgemeinde

The word "Pfarrgemeinde" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the correct article is always die.

Example Sentences

1. Die Pfarrgemeinde St. Michael feiert am Sonntag ihr Patronatsfest.
   (The parish of St. Michael celebrates its patron saint's festival on Sunday.)
2. Er engagiert sich ehrenamtlich in seiner Pfarrgemeinde.
   (He volunteers in his parish.)
3. Die Kollekte kommt den Projekten der Pfarrgemeinde zugute.
   (The collection benefits the projects of the parish.)
4. Viele Pfarrgemeinden leiden unter Mitgliederschwund.
   (Many parishes suffer from declining membership.)

🗣️ How to Use "Pfarrgemeinde"?

The term "Pfarrgemeinde" is mainly used in a church and religious context. It describes the local community of believers.

• Typical Uses: In connection with church services (Gottesdienste), community events (Gemeindeveranstaltungen), church administration (Kirchenverwaltung), pastoral care (Seelsorge), and volunteer work (ehrenamtliches Engagement).
• Distinction: While "Kirche" can refer to the building, the institution, or the faith community in general, "Pfarrgemeinde" specifically means the local, organized community of members. "Kirchengemeinde" is often used synonymously, though "Pfarrgemeinde" traditionally has a stronger connection to the office of the priest (Pfarrer).
• Context: One speaks of belonging to a Pfarrgemeinde, participating in the life of the Pfarrgemeinde, or activities within the Pfarrgemeinde.

🧠 Mnemonics for Pfarrgemeinde

Remembering the Article: Think of "die Gemeinde" (the community/municipality). Many German nouns ending in -einde are feminine. The Gemeinde (community) belonging to the Pfarrer (priest) is die Pfarrgemeinde.

Remembering the Meaning: Break it down: Pfarr(er) (priest) + Gemeinde (community) = The community looked after by a priest, i.e., a parish.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Diözese / Bistum: Diocese / Bishopric (higher administrative unit comprising multiple parishes).
• Klostergemeinschaft: Monastic community (a religious community of monks or nuns, organized differently from a parish).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Pfarrer den Küster: "Warum ist die Kirche heute so leer?"
Antwortet der Küster: "Wahrscheinlich haben alle Gemeindemitglieder Ihre Predigt vom letzten Sonntag über das Sparen zu Herzen genommen und sparen sich heute den Kirchenbesuch!" 😄

(The priest asks the sacristan: "Why is the church so empty today?"
The sacristan replies: "Probably all the parishioners took your sermon from last Sunday about saving to heart and are saving themselves the church visit today!")

📜 Poem about the Parish

Wo Glocken läuten, nah und fern,
da trifft sich die Gemeinde gern.
Im alten Haus, aus Stein gebaut,
wird Glauben laut und anvertraut.

Der Pfarrer spricht, die Orgel klingt,
die Pfarrgemeinde betet, singt.
Ein Netz, das hält, in Freud und Leid,
verbunden durch die Ewigkeit.

(Where bells ring, near and far,
the community likes to gather there.
In the old house, built of stone,
faith is spoken aloud and entrusted.)

(The priest speaks, the organ sounds,
the parish community prays and sings.
A net that holds, in joy and sorrow,
connected through eternity.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe einen Hirten, doch keine Schafe weit und breit.
Ich habe Mitglieder, doch bin kein Verein der Freizeit.
Ich habe ein Haus mit Turm, doch wohne nicht darin allein.
Ich bin ein Ort des Glaubens, groß oder klein.

Wer oder was bin ich?

(I have a shepherd, but no sheep far and wide.
I have members, but am not a leisure club.
I have a house with a tower, but don't live in it alone.
I am a place of faith, large or small.)

(Who or what am I?)

Solution: Die Pfarrgemeinde (The parish community)

ℹ️ Other Interesting Details

Word Composition

The word "Pfarrgemeinde" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Pfarre: (from Middle High German pfarre, Old High German pfarra, borrowed from Middle Latin parrochia, from Greek paroikía ‘neighborhood’, ‘community of strangers’) refers to the district or office of a priest (Pfarrer).
• Gemeinde: (from Old High German gimeinida ‘community’) refers to a group of people with shared characteristics or goals.

Trivia

• The size of Pfarrgemeinden can vary greatly, from a few hundred members in rural areas to many thousands in urban regions.
• In many countries, parishes (Pfarrgemeinden) are corporations under public law (Körperschaften des öffentlichen Rechts).
• Structural reforms often lead to the merging of parishes into larger pastoral areas (pastorale Räume) or pastoral units (Seelsorgeeinheiten).